5. What steps have been taken to integrate transportation services between the local Public and Catholic District School Boards?

Transportation services for all schools in Bruce & Grey Counties are managed by a Student Transportation Service Consortium of Grey-Bruce which supports the Bluewater District School Board and the Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board. Where possible, bus routes will be shared between elementary and secondary schools, both Public and Catholic.

The transportation consortium is located in the Catholic Education Centre at 799-16th Avenue, Hanover. It can be reached at (519) 364-0605.

9. If I am eligible for service and wish to be taken to an alternate address, can this be accommodated?

Student Transportation to/from Child Care Provider

The usual service level definition for school bus transportation is one child - one seat - one bus. However, students will be permitted to travel on an alternate bus route for daycare purposes providing the parent agrees to the following conditions:

1. The parent/guardian submits a completed TCF-A007 Transportation To/From Child Care Provider Form to the principal. The principal signs the form and forwards it to the Transportation Consortium for approval. Alternate arrangements are assumed to stay in effect in subsequent school years unless the Transportation Consortium is advised otherwise. It is not necessary to submit a new form each year. Parents are responsible for advising school of changes.

2. A student may be assigned a morning bus stop to be used every morning for the entire school year. The student may also be assigned a different bus stop (on the same bus or on another bus) to be used every afternoon for the entire school year.

3. The alternate address must be:

- beyond the walking distance and

- within the transportation boundary for the school the student is attending. Transportation to an alternate address outside the boundary for the school may be approved as per Consortium procedure TCP-A010

4. The Transportation Consortium requires 3 business days to make changes.

5. The request must be approved by the Student Transportation Service Consortium of Grey-Bruce.

6. Transportation services will begin once the Bus Operator has contacted the parent/guardian to confirm arrangements and start date.

Joint Custody

The usual service level definition for school bus transportation is one child - one seat - one bus. However, where the court has awarded joint custody of the children, transportation will be provided under the following conditions:

1. The custodial parents/guardian must reside outside of the school walking boundary and within the school attendance boundary for the school the student is attending. Transportation to a custodial address outside the boundary for the school may be approved as per Consortium procedure TCP-A010.

3. The Transportation Consortium requires 3 business days to make changes.

4. Parents will be allowed to request only one arrangement per school year.

5. The following schedules will be considered:

a: Alternating Weeks

b: Consistent 1 Week Schedule

c: Consistent 2 Week Schedule

6. Bus route paths will not be modified to accommodate transportation to/from a joint custody address. Parent/Guardian may be required to meet a bus on route. Additional bus stops will be considered for rural addresses if the address is on the bus route. Students requesting transportation to an urban/built-up area will be expected to use existing bus stops. Parent/Guardian may be required to meet a bus on route.

7. The request must be approved by the Transportation Consortium.

8. Transportation services will begin once the Bus Operator has contacted the parent/guardian to confirm arrangements and start date.

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11. If my child is having trouble with other students on the bus, who should I contact?

If you have a concern regarding student behaviour on the bus, you should contact the school principal. The bus is considered an extension of the classroom and the school principal is responsible for student behaviour issues. If another bus is available, without added cost to the school board, the transportation department may consider moving your child.

12. Can I request that the bus driver change my stop time, location, or route?

Sorry, but no. Drivers are the employees of the bus operator, which are under contract with the Board. Therefore, the operator and driver are to comply with Board policy and terms of contract. No requests can be authorized by a driver.

The use of video surveillance may be used. The personal information is collected under the authority of the Education Act S. 170 and will be used to reduce/prevent property vandalism, theft and violence and to ensure the safety of students. The video is protected under the 'Freedom of Information Protection of Privacy Act'.